Chapter Seven:

The Tsukishima family

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It was five in the morning. And yet, she was up and running. She woke up earlier than usual. It was the only possible solution she could think of after yesterday's mishap. She didn't really want to talk to her parents yet. She wasn't comfortable enough to do so.

It was the worst feud they'd had ever since her brother's death. She heaved out a sigh as she finished packing their Bentos. The rain hadn't stopped till around three in the morning, so Tsukishima stayed the night.

She flinched at the sound of footsteps coming closer. 'The footsteps aren't too heavy. That's got to be Tsukishima.' She said to herself. "Good morning, Munchkin," He greeted. "Good morning, Beanpole," she said.

"I'm still making breakfast, so you should get ready for school. Your uniform from yesterday's already washed and dried. I left it on the coffee table. You can use the bathroom you used yesterday. I already left a towel there, too," she said.

Tsukishima nodded, yawning a little. "Oh, and, Tsukishima?" She called. He looked over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow at her. "Thanks for yesterday," she said. "It's nothing," he muttered, turning away.

She sighed as she dried her hands, then wrapped the bento boxes. "Breakfast and packed lunch are finished... Tsukishima's extra snacks are finished too... What else..?" She muttered.

She shook her head, stepping away from the counter to set the table. After finishing, she left to get the remaining portions of her uniform, as she was only wearing the blouse and the skirt. She walked up to her room, slipping on the rest of her uniform, then walked back down.

She walked over to the genkan, grabbing her bag. She rummaged through it, pulling out a folder. She smiled, walking towards the table and taking a seat. She ate breakfast as she read the contents of the folder, humming an unfamiliar tune.

Tsukishima exited the bathroom, gaining Y/n's attention. She kept her eyes on the folder, sipping from her cup of tea. "That was faster than yesterday," Y/n noted, making Tsukishima roll his eyes.

"Why exactly would you pay attention to that?" Tsukishima asked, fixing his collar as he sat down in front of her. "Just an observation," Y/n said, shrugging. As they are breakfast, she continued to hum, piquing his interest.

"I don't think I've ever heard that piece before. Did you compose it?" He asked. Y/n nodded, taking another sip from her cup. "Oh, by the way, I packed you extra snacks in case you get hungry after morning practice and club hours," Y/n said.

"How did you even find my bento..." Tsukishima muttered. "I rummaged through your bag earlier this morning. My apologies," Y/n said, her eyes still glued to the folder.

She chuckled slightly, making Tsukishima raise an eyebrow. "Which reminds me... You look cute without your glasses," Y/n stated, making his cheeks redden a little. "How so..?" He muttered. Y/n shrugged.

"Just a thought that crossed my mind," Y/n said. She closed the folder, setting it down. Taking some of the dishes, she put them in the sink.

"Hurry up. It's already six. I wanna practice before heading to school," Y/n said. "Why not practice now?" Tsukishima asked. "It would be rude if I left you to clean up," Y/n said, leaning on the counter.

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As Yamaguchi went his way, that left Y/n and Tsukishima. Y/n, who had been on her phone for the whole walk, had been extremely silent, more so than usual, at least.

Seeing her exasperated expression, he spoke up. "Oi, what's wrong?" Tsukishima asked. Y/n sighed. "It's nothing. Just the usual," she said, tucking her phone away.

"So your parents won't be home until late at night?" Tsukishima questioned. Y/n nodded. "Why don't you come over for dinner then..." He whispered. "Would that be okay?" She asked.

"Why would I invite you if it wasn't..." He muttered, making Y/n chuckle. "I suppose it would be nice..." She muttered.

As they continued to walk, she glanced to the side, seeing her house. 'I won't be home alone on a Friday night. Even the slightest change is well appreciated.' She said to herself, smiling.

About seven minutes later, they arrived at his house. Opening the door, he got in, stepping aside to let Y/n in as well. "Tadaima," he muttered, taking his shoes off.

"Pardon the intrusion," Y/n said. "Okaeri!" A voice yelled. Tsukishima flinched. The door to the genkan opened, revealing someone he thought wasn't home.

"Oh? Kei, who's this?" The voice asked. Tsukishima sighed. Y/n tensed up, then bowed. "Pardon the intrusion. My name is L/n Y/n. Pleased to meet your acquaintance," she said.

"Oh! My name's Akiteru. I'm Kei's older brother," he said. Y/n stood up, turning to Tsukishima with an eyebrow raised. "You never told me you had a brother," she said.

"Neither did—" "Don't even give me that excuse. By now, you should know exactly why I didn't tell you," Y/n said, furrowing her eyebrows.

Tsukishima sighed. "Right. Anyway, I invited her over to join us for dinner,"  he said. "Ah, that's nice. It's good to know that you have friends other than Tadashi," Akiteru said, smiling at her. "Come in, " he said, stepping aside.

Y/n smiled politely, taking her shoes off and entering. Tsukishima followed. "Okaa-san! Kei bought someone over for dinner!" Akiteru yelled.

"Oh? Is it Tadashi?" She asked, then turned to look at them. Her eyes widened upon meeting Y/n's. She smiled shyly, before bowing. "Good evening, ma'am. Pardon the intrusion," she said.

A smile etched itself onto her face. "Kei! You never told me you had such a cute girlfriend!" She exclaimed. Y/n's cheeks reddened, while Tsukishima began fiddling with his fingers. "Ah... No... We're just classmates," they muttered in unison.

Her smile slightly dropped. "Aw, really? That's too bad," she muttered. "Anyway, why don't you take a seat? Dinner's almost ready," she said.

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"Ittadakimasu!"

Y/n and Tsukishima sat quietly, while Akiteru and their mother chatted amongst themselves. "Ah, L/n-chan, if you don't mind me asking, how did you and Kei meet?" Akiteru asked.

"Ah, technically we met after hours. But we only formally introduced ourselves to each other a month after meeting," Y/n said. "Ah, really? If it was after hours, where did you guys meet?" Akiteru asked.

"In the music room," Y/n and Tsukishima replied in unison. "In the music room?" Their mother questioned. "It was after practice. I followed the sound of the piano. It was her playing," Tsukishima muttered.

Y/n nodded. "After that, he'd constantly drop by to listen. I knew he was there, but didn't speak up until a month later," Y/n said. Their mother perked up. "You play the piano?" She asked.

Y/n nodded. "I've been playing since I was four," she claimed. "That's wonderful!" Mrs. Tsukishima exclaimed. "Kei wasn't too interested in classical music, but he did somewhat enjoy listening to the piano!" She claimed.

"Is that so?" Y/n asked, raising an eyebrow. She turned to Tsukishima, who looked away. She chuckled, looking back down at her food. "I guess I was right," she claimed, making the family raise an eyebrow at her.

"If fate hadn't made me a pianist, and you a volleyball player, then we would be nothing more than classmates," Y/n said, taking a piece of Katsudon into her mouth, along with a bit of rice.

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"I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU WEREN'T DATING?!" His mother questioned. The two teens in question choked on their food.

"I didn't mean it like that! I meant that we wouldn't have become friends!" Y/n exclaimed, raising her hands up.

"Are you saying you wouldn't date my son?!" She asked sternly. "I-I didn't say anything!" Y/n defended. "Then do you at least find him attractive?!" She asked.

"I do! But-! Oh crap..." She muttered, clasping her hands over her mouth. Mrs. Tsukishima snickered. "Ha! I got you to admit it!" She exclaimed. She groaned burying her face into her palms, making them chuckle.

Tsukishima smirked smugly. "What's this? Is munchkin flustered?" He questioned. "You use that nickname now of all times?!" She questioned, making Akiteru and their mother laugh.

"Ah, right. About earlier..." Akiteru trailed. "Earlier?" Y/n questioned. "You know, when you introduced yourself to me?" Akiteru asked, making Tsukishima flinch. His head snapped toward Akiteru. He shook his head profusely, making Akiteru raise an eyebrow.

"The part where you said Kei never mentioned me? And then he retorted by saying something else he didn't quite finish," Akiteru asked. Tsukishima facepalmed.

"Nii-san, that was a sensitive question..."

"Oh— wait, really?!"

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Progress report

Tsukishima:

Like: 91%

Love: 10.7%

Y/n:

Like: 81%

Love: 5.5%

Today's winner: Tsukishima Kei